Allyson Quinn and the rest of the September 2012 L Squad spent their first month of the World Race in Guatemala. While there, Allyson learned that sometimes the expectations we have as missionaries are different from the reasons God sent us. Sometimes we come to serve, and he wants to teach us to humble ourselves and let others serve us. Like so many Racers before her, Allyson learned that even though we go to be a blessing, it’s often the missionaries who are blessed the most.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.’ This is the Lord’s declaration. ‘For as heaven is higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
About one year ago, Hector arrived at Casa de mi Padre. He was the first child to come to the orphanage, and he was only 12 years old. He came from a home where he was physically abused if he arrived late from school, and he never really learned what love looks like.
I met Hector for the first time three weeks ago. As I heard his story, my heart hurt because the boy being described was not the same boy I was beginning to know and love.
Everyday when Hector comes back from school, he runs in and gives me a great big hug. I ask him about his day, and he tries to describe it in English. When he loses me, we both just laugh. As I’m cooking, cleaning, or helping kids with homework, Hector will come up randomly to ask me about my home or tell me about what he is learning. Sometimes we play games, and other times we just sit and say words back and forth in English and Spanish to try to have a conversation.
Two weeks ago, I went to church with Hector and a couple other boys from the orphanage. The pastor spoke on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. One of the other World Race teams had planned to have a foot washing service for the Guatemalan people. I had all intentions of just sitting back and observing. This was the church the other team had been serving in all month, so I wanted them to have this time with the people they had been working with.
As the band played Amazing Grace, men and women came up one by one to have their feet washed. It was a beautiful sight, and all I could think about was how much I loved these people I had never even met. As the crowd slowed down, a couple of the guys from the other team asked if they could wash the girls’ feet.
My first thought, in my prideful mind, was that we were here to serve them, and we didn’t need our feet washed. Within about 30 seconds, God humbled me to my face. I just dropped my face into my hands. These guys are such men of God, and who am I to think that I am above having my feet washed too?
As I made my way down the aisle, the guys had started washing some of the other girls’ feet, and a lovely Guatemalan girl from the church came over to ask if she could wash my feet. My heart melted.
I thought I came to serve, and now I was the one being served. God reminded me in this moment that we are one church with one purpose serving one God.
After having my feet washed, I turned from my seat to see Hector and Piter making their way up to the front. Hector had tears flowing from his eyes, and he came up to me, wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, and sobbed.
I knew then that he got it. Maybe even better than I did. He understands what it means to love and be loved. To give graciously and receive thankfully. He heard what Jesus did, and He wanted to do the same.
Hector pointed toward one of the bowls, looked up at me through tear stained eyes and mumbled, “you.” He wanted to wash my feet, because that’s what he heard Jesus did. I let go of my pride again and sat down, as two beautiful hands washed my feet.
